Watch It | Voices of the Past

First hand historical accounts are my favorite.

Especially when they come before a time of political correctness. I just enjoy genuine un-edited descriptions and this YouTube channel is full of them. The creator of the channel reads letters written throughout history. My favorite videos are when he reads writings describing someone's first time experiencing a new culture. There's something almost childlike about trying to describe an experience like that that I find fascinating.

Something to be sure to watch is the first video I have posted below. It's the first-hand description of a white Danish settler in Iceland who was enslaved by Turkish pirates. I had no idea there were ever white slaves. When I looked into it more, I realized that only a few centuries ago, MILLIONS of white Europeans had been enslaved by Turkish people. This went on for over a century. I learned that even European settlers in America were captured and enslaved by Turkish pirates. Someone in the comments suggested the book White Gold about white Europeans being enslaved. I just picked it up and will post about it when finished. It's something our history books in American schools don't cover. I've noticed a lot of scary language over the last few years demonizing white people. And, I never understood why. All races have done bad things. We are all part of the human race. There have been times in history where the actions of POC would make more modern white colonizers look meek. If you think I'm exaggerating or lying, check out Gengis Khan. Although you may have trouble sleeping after listening to that.

I don't think it's ever ok to enslave anyone and I think it's just as bad to twist and hide history to fit an unjust narrative that leads to genocidal language at best and actual genocides at worst. I wish modern American politics would focus on uniting the human race instead of actively working to create division. But, as I say a lot, it is what it is. All we can do is continue to better ourselves. And, educate ourselves on world history beyond the last two centuries.